The Qld government launched
the Special COVID-19 Protections for Residential Tenants and
Owners on April 9, revealing a set of relief packages they said would
freeze evictions for cash-poor renters, provide rental support and prevent
landlords from turfing out tenants once the lease had ended.
They
also said property owners must offer an extension to the lease of at least six
months after the lease’s expiry, while tenants were able to end their lease
with a week’s notice if they were unable to afford the payments.
But the
Real Estate Institute of Queensland says tenants are being prioritised at the expense of landlords.
It is
calling on them to write to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to seek changes that
would also afford them protection.
Under
the proposed measures property owners must offer tenants at least a six-month
extension, and tenants who can't pay rent and want to end their lease early
could do so.
It
would also make more people eligible for state support of up to four weeks
rent, or a maximum of $2,000, while they wait for federal support.
Victims
of domestic and family violence would be allowed to end leases quickly, change
locks without seeking approval, access bond, and separate from co-tenancies.
Guidelines
will be developed between government officials, stakeholders representing
tenants, property managers and owners.
To submit your protest of the new changes,
visit: https://theonsitemanager.com.au/news/urgent-will-the-palaszczuk-governments-special-covid-19-protections-for-residential-tenants-protect-you/
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Friday, 24 April 2020
